"Cedric the mule remembers Aralee Strange" - M Bromberg

"Cedric the mule remembers Aralee Strange" - M Bromberg"She was a good animal as humans go --one of the few who understood me,which is more than I can say

about most two-legged creatures.She knew how to laugh, that's sure,made me bray out loud myself sometimes.I taught her all I knew. She was a quick study. That lightning flash across her cheekwasn't there just for show. No.

And you better find yourselfon the right side of her witor she'd make sure you knew.Ha!She sure was fine country stock.Sometimes I could tell we were kinto the same Alabama earthjust how she smiled at me.She offered hundred-proof understandingstraight, no chaser. Miss her? Hell,I expect her human folk won't achefor missing Aralee's sagittarian waysmore than I do, most days.Won't be long I'm sure nowI'll see her come walking downthose Timberdance tall woods,hear her surprised Wild Turkey voice askwhere I got off to, so sly. Together again --and won't we have a good bray then!"Aralee Strange (1943 - 2013) organized Athens Word of Mouth “because poetry is about paying attention to that which contains a truth, but is more, much more, than simple truth. In poetry there is clarity of language, in short supply these days. I say people should pay attention, sign up and mouth off … in poetry and in life.” Aralee passed away in June, 2013. The photo above, donated by Athens photographer Bob Brussack, is permanently installed upstairs at The Globe in Athens, GA.